FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino Under Fire for Allegedly Violating His Own Presidential Rules with Trump

Human rights advocacy organization FairSquare has filed a formal complaint with FIFA, claiming that president Gianni Infantino violated his own institution's commitment to political neutrality through statements regarding U.S. president Donald Trump.

Infantino and Trump have openly displayed their growing partnership. "You've been my great friend, and it's an honor," the American leader told Infantino during one of his multiple White House visits spanning both presidential terms. Trump has also praised his FIFA equivalent as "sort of the king of soccer," though it's Infantino's remarks that have drawn criticism.

The head of global football's governing body stands accused of violating FIFA's ethical standards, with his effusive Trump endorsements allegedly contradicting the organization's apolitical position. FairSquare is also demanding a formal probe into the debut FIFA Peace Prize awarded to the U.S. president.

"This complaint encompasses far more than Infantino's endorsement of President Donald Trump's political platform," FairSquare programme director Nicholas McGeehan stated on the nonprofit's website.

"More fundamentally, this concerns how FIFA's flawed governance framework has enabled Gianni Infantino to blatantly disregard the organization's regulations and behave in ways that are both hazardous and directly opposed to the welfare of the world's most beloved sport."

What Has Infantino Said About Trump?

FairSquare has particularly highlighted four statements from Infantino regarding Trump in 2025. The breaking point seemingly occurred during Friday's 2026 World Cup draw, when Infantino began the lengthy ceremony by praising the 45th and 47th U.S. president.

This is what we expect from a leader ... you certainly merit the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize for your actions and what you have achieved in your manner, but you accomplished it in an extraordinary way and you can always rely Mr. President on my backing.

Looking back to November of this year, Infantino, who attended in his role as FIFA president, addressed the American Business Forum in Miami:

Ultimately he [Trump] was chosen based on his platform, based on his promises. He is simply executing what he pledged to do, so I believe we should all endorse what he's accomplishing because I think it's appearing quite promising.

Infantino has also advocated for Trump through his personal Instagram profile. In October, the Swiss executive stated that "President Donald J. Trump certainly merits the Nobel Peace Prize" for his involvement in the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

After receiving an invitation to Trump's presidential inauguration event in January 2025, Infantino shared a video where he proclaimed:

Together we will make not just America great again but also the whole world.

FairSquare's eight-page correspondence to FIFA's ethics committee concluded: "By providing explicit endorsement for President Trump's political platform domestically and internationally, Mr. Infantino has consistently violated his obligation to maintain political neutrality, and has done so in a manner that presents a clear danger to the integrity and standing of football and FIFA itself."

Infantino Accused of 'Bypassing' the FIFA Council

Infantino reinforced his consistently supportive position toward Trump by presenting him with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw. FairSquare has raised multiple concerns regarding this process, requesting an inquiry from FIFA's Ethics Committee to determine whether the FIFA Council was consulted in creating the award.

FairSquare references FIFA's own regulations, which state that matters concerning the organization's "mission, strategic direction, policies and values" must fall under FIFA Council oversight.

What Punishment Could Infantino Face?

In the improbable scenario that any investigation occurs—and the even more distant possibility that it leads to penalties for Infantino—various sanctions exist.

The FIFA president could potentially receive anything from a reprimand to a prohibition from all football-related activities. Infantino might also face potential fines or mandatory compliance education, though whether he will even respond to the formal complaint remains uncertain.